Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $66.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Kansas City, KS runs $66.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,653 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,194 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, the projected median hourly rate for physician assistants is $66.66, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This rate presents a solid opportunity for part-time or per diem workers in various healthcare settings, including operating rooms, hospitals, and urgent care centers. With an hourly range stretching from $46.09 at the entry-level to $93.58 for top earners, the flexibility of schedule allows PAs to tailor their work-life balance effectively. It's worth noting that these hourly estimates derive from annual salary projections, which offer insight into potential earnings while working for different employers in the region.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.09 | $368.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.83 | $454.61 |
| Median (P50) | $66.66 | $533.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.57 | $644.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.58 | $748.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $66.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.66/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $138,657 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,994. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,666.48 | $11,555 | $138,657 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,599.89 | $6,933 | $83,194 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,066.59 | $4,622 | $55,463 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Kansas City) | $66.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Kansas City, KS earn a median of $138,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.60% above the Kansas state average of $127,673.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.66/hr = $83,194/year (purchasing power: $91,523).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,657/year (purchasing power: $152,538).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Kansas City grew 21.0% from $53.30/hr (2019) to $64.52/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Kansas City
An analysis of part-time opportunities reveals that a physician assistant working three days a week could take home significantly less annually compared to those in full-time roles, potentially totaling close to $104,000. For those considering per diem positions, the pay can vary widely: locum tenens PAs might command rates between $75 and $130 per hour, while specialized surgical PAs can earn as much as $1,800 for a single day of operating room coverage. This considerable variation extends across different employment types in Kansas City, with hospitals often providing stable W-2 employment and specialty clinics or urgent cares offering more flexibility but potentially lower benefits. Balancing hourly rates with health insurance benefits is crucial in negotiations, as some PAs may prefer a lower hourly wage in exchange for job security and associated perks. To maximize earning potential, it’s advisable to understand local market conditions and develop negotiation strategies tailored to personal circumstances and career goals.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Kansas City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kansas City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov